Fly ball



G. wALTERs Aug. 12, 1947.

FLY BALL l Filed Feb; 26*I 1944- l INVENTOR. L' Geoge Wlers fr. v ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a fly ball.

More particularly, the invention proposes a ily ball which is characterized by a leather casing having top and bottom sections with outwardly directed ilanges sewed together. It is proposed to ll said casing with a non-resilient filler. It is proposed to mount feathers on a plug mounted in the top of the casing.

The invention further contemplates providing the ily ball with a ilag or other ornament.

Still further the invention proposes several modified forms among which is included an arrangement whereby the fly ball is provided with a parachute arranged to come out and lloat down rduring the flight of the fly ball.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 111s a side elevational view of a ily ball constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of certain parts of the fly ball shown in Fig. 1 but shown separated.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the flag shown in Fig. 1.

The fly ball, in accordance with the invention includes a leather casing I2 having a top section I3 and a bottom section I4. These sections are provided with outwardly extending flanges I5 and I6 which are secured together by a line of stitches I'I. A plug I8 is secured within the top of the casing I2 with adhesive material I9.

A non-resilient filler member 20 is mounted within the casing I2. This ller member 20 comprises a cloth container 2| and filling material 22 of a non-resilient nature, such as sawdust. A plurality of feathers 23 are mounted upon and project from the plug I8. A collar 24 is secured around the top of the casing I2 with adhesive 25.

It is proposed that the casing I2 be ornamented with different colors. The fly ball may be thrown through the air and the feathers 23 will cause it to travel with the casing section I4 to the front.

The non-resilient filler member 20' and the plug I8 are formed hollow. A casing 40 is set into these hollows. A parachute 4I is engaged into said casing 40 through its open top. The top portion of the casing 4I is provided with bayonet slots 42. A flag 43 for the fly ball has a staff 44 with pins 45 normally engaging the bayonet slots 42. The parachute 4I is secured to the bottom of the staff 44 by a knot 46. The flag 43 is constructed of sheet metal or other stiff material and is for-med curved, as illustrated in Fig. 5, so as to be in the nature of a vane or the blade of a fan. Consequently, when the fly ball travels through the air, the air -will tend to turn said flag 43.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Fig. 1 shows the ily ball fully assembled. When it is thrown through the air, the air engages the blade-like flag 43, turning the staff 44 so -that the pins 45 come out of the bayonet slots 42. The flag 43 then falls away from the remaining portion of the fly ball dragging the parachute 4I along with it. The parachute opens, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and safely drops the flag 43.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A fly ball, comprising a leather casing having top and bottom sections with outwardly directed flanges sewed together, a, plug adhesively mounted in the top of said top section, a non-resilient ller member mounted within said casing, feathers mounted on and projecting from said plug, said plug and said ller member being hollow, a casing mounted within said hollow flller member, a parachute within said casing, and a curved blade releasibly mounted on and projecting from said casing and connected with said parachute, and tending to turn when travelling through air, and said releasible mounting including pins on the staff of the blade engaging bayonet slots in the top of said casing.

GEORGE WALTERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,014,571 Craun et al Jan. 9, 1912 1,455,073 Bunten May 15, 1923 2,012,730 Reid Aug. 27, 1935 2,193,645 Rarzen et al Mar. 12, 1940 1,561,533 Fleury Nov. 17, 1925 1,515,314 Petersen Nov. 11, 1924 

